\centerline{\bf Desktop Publishing in}
\centerline{\bf Astronomy and Space Sciences}
\smallskip                   
\noindent The Strasbourg Observatory\slash Astronomical
Data Centre will be organizing a meeting on `Desktop Publishing in
Astronomy and Space Sciences' on October 1st--3rd 1991.
 
Desktop publishing is widespread nowadays and a number of packages are
used by astronomers, space scientists, engineers and technicians for
producing their papers, reports, etc., as well as their everyday mail
(typically through Word, \TeX, \LaTeX\dots). The motivations behind the
choice of a given package are various and not always rational ones (such as
availability, financial constraints, word of mouth recommendations).
 
There is a wealth of experience to be shared openly for the benefit of
everybody and it would certainly be useful to confront performances,
capabilities, as well as possible complementarities of the text
processing applications that are presently most frequently used in
astronomy and space sciences.  There is most likely no `best' system,
but it might be possible to prepare a digest of the best parts of the major
ones without having to review computer journals.
 
It is not only the point of view of the authors or writers which should
matter here, but also the reasons behind the choices that a few publishers
have already made (typically, Springer \TeX\ Macros\dots). On this side, the
advantages are obvious: the manuscripts are delivered directly by the
authors\slash scientific editors in a standardized machine-readable way
(saving time and money) and the final appearance of the publications is
substantially enhanced, be it only through its harmonization.
 
What happens in other communities of related fields will also be
investigated. Some publishers represent up to 500 scientific journals.
It will be interesting to listen to their explanations as to how their
choices have been made and for them to hear what scientists have to say
in that respect.
 
Another aspect of this colloquium is related to the developments carried
out by auxiliary software companies or individuals. They are producing
self-sustained packages, complementary tools and\slash or utilities to be
plugged into already well-established text processing systems.  Here
again scientists should express their views, needs and wishes.
 
The meeting is timely as desktop publishing reaches such a development
that it would be appropriate for the corporation and for publishers to
issue recommendations for standardization, compatibility and\slash or
complementarity from the software producers.
 
Sessions will be organized in such a way that each of the parties will
be able to make their points as to the advantages they find with given
packages, the constraints they have to comply with, the requirements
they would have for further developments. We shall also attempt to set
up exhibitions and\slash or demonstrations.
 
The meeting will also aim at issuing recommendations for publishing
standards, as well as for compatibility and/or complementarity from the
software producers. A special session involving the editors of the major
scientific journals is being set up by James Lequeux
({\tt aanda@frmeu51.bitnet}).
 
 
Proceedings will be published and distributed free of charge to the
persons who will actually attend the meeting.
 
There will be no registration fee; meals will have to be
paid for individually.  Because of the
chronic shortage of rooms in Strasbourg, we advise you to secure
your accommodation in the city as soon as possible.
If you are interested in attending this colloquium, please contact me at

{\obeylines\parindent30pt
                                 Observatoire Astronomique
                                 11, rue de l'Universite
                                 F-67000 Strasbourg
                                 France
                                tel: +33-88.35.82.22
                                    telex: 890506 starobs f
                                  fax: +33-88.25.01.60
                              email: {\tt heck@frccsc21}
}\noindent
in order
to be put on the mailing list to receive additional information (list of hotels,
preliminary programme, and so on). As the audience might have to be limited, we
advise you to do this as soon as possible.
 
Please feel also free to send us your comments and to recommend people
(scientists, editors, publishers, software producers, company managers,
and so on) you think we should contact. 
\author{Andr\'e Heck}